The Minnesota Senate on Friday passed a comprehensive budget that funds critical state agencies and provides important reforms to increase transparency and hold government accountable for results. The bill passed with significant bipartisan support. It will be voted on next by the House of Representatives before going to Gov. Walz for his signature.

“Minnesotans interact with their government in some way virtually every single day, and they expect it to function smoothly and effectively,” said Sen. Carla Nelson (R-Rochester). “This bill funds the state agencies that provide critical services to millions of Minnesotans and keeps our commitment to support the brave men and women of the armed forces who put themselves in harm’s way to keep us safe. It’s a budget Minnesotans can be proud of.”

This bill provides significant resources to support veterans across generations. The bill provides financial resources to support homes for at-risk veterans in Preston, Montevideo, and Bemidji. A veterans’ home is greatly needed in southeast Minnesota and will improve care options for senior veterans. 

Veterans may return home from service with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or injuries that can lead to substance abuse and are in need of intervention, empathy, and kindness. This bill provides significant resources for suicide prevention and crisis support. It also includes a compromise for the Veterans Restorative Justice Act, which provides alternative sentencing options for veterans.  Veterans who are in the program would be diverted to therapy, substance abuse support, or treatment for needs tied to service.   

The state government budget requires a legislative audit of COVID-19 Funds. The Office of the Legislative Auditor (OLA) will conduct an audit of the state’s response to COVID-19. The audit will include a comprehensive analysis of COVID-19 programs for testing, vaccinations, and public outreach. The audit will also include contracting, other state purchasing and the modeling and forecasting used in the pandemic.  The OLA will make recommendations for improvements and inefficiencies resulting from the audit findings.

Other provisions in the State Government budget include: 

• Establishment of the Legislative Commission on Cybersecurity to make sure the Legislature has the needed resources to keep government technology secure. With so many hacks and data breaches worldwide, this is a needed change for the security of the Legislature.
• Election security provisions, including physical security of elections equipment and electronic recording of absentee ballot drop boxes to increase election 
• Daylight Savings Time elimination if/when the federal government permits change
• Pharmacy Benefit Manager Reverse Auction of Drug Benefits, which will save taxpayers money on the state employee pharmaceutical benefits
• Addition of State Historic Preservation Office for state archaeologist report